Surgery Will End Radja’s Season

Around the NBA

Forward Dino Radja, Boston’s leading rebounder and shot-blocker and No. 2 scorer, will have surgery on his left kneecap that will likely end his season.

The arthroscopic surgery was scheduled for this morning, the Celtics said in a release.

The Celtics, who have the second-worst record in the NBA at 7-23, have been stymied by injuries all season. Every player on the roster except Rick Fox and Eric Williams has missed time due to injury - a total of 150 player-games.

The 6-foot-11 Radja injured his leg Thursday night in Detroit.

Rick Mahorn’s injured right foot will require surgery, forcing him out of the Detroit Pistons’ lineup for more than two months. Surgery will be performed today or Thursday.

Stockton leads the way

Utah’s John Stockton, the NBA’s career leader in assists and steals, moved back into the lead for a starting spot in voting for Western Conference All-Stars after the third set of returns was counted.

Stockton, who has played in eight All-Star games but started only twice, has 192,144 votes, trailing only Seattle’s Gary Payton, who has 218,941. Third place belongs to Houston’s Clyde Drexler (151,846), with Jason Kidd of Phoenix (140,865) fourth.

On the court

Penny Hardaway, sidelined most of the season because of knee problems, scored 15 points to lead Orlando to a 102-88 victory over visiting Philadelphia.

Clyde Drexler scored a season-high 37 points as Houston rallied for a 104-95 victory at Minnesota.

Henry James hit a 3-pointer with 1 second remaining in overtime to give Atlanta its 12th consecutive home victory, 105-103 over Phoenix.